Open House

Bill & Kara Rosenberg, will be hosting an Open House on Friday, September 7, 2012. This is the make-up for the Open House that was “Snowed Out” last April on Friday the 13th. (we should have known) There will be modest live music on the deck and light refreshments. Dave and Eve Lawson (The Lawson Company) will be there to showcase the work they have done for the Rosenbergs and to answer any questions about home improvement projects. Please stop by at 7979 Chilnualna Falls Road, next to Deadhorse Creek,between 5 and 7 pm. Just slow down for the Little Green Man and you will be there. Thanks, Bill Rosenberg <billrosenberg@earthlink.net> 7979 Chilnualna Falls RoadWawona, CA 95389 209-375-6558 Wawona 650-387-0166 Cell

Yosemite Fire - Update #7 – August 28, 2012

Lightning caused: Cascade: (37 46.173 x 119 40.519; 7800’El., Mariposa Co., 6.15.12) The fire continues to show low to moderate fire activity. After recent ground observations, the fire is at 780 acres. The most active part of the perimeter were on the north and northwest flanks. Most of the fire is creeping and smoldering in light brush and compact needle cast from the red fir forest. Three firefighters are assigned and the fire will continue to be monitored. Firefighters took actions to install a light handline between granite ridges to limit fire spread to the south and southwest. The line will hold the fire from moving into denser fields of brush and tree stands, and keep the fire off trails and away from the Valley rim. Air quality has remained in the good range. The park’s webcam, located at Crane Flat Helibase, captures fire images, which can be viewed at: http://ssgic.cr.usgs.gov/dashboards/WebCam.htm?Ostrander: (37 37.801 x 119 34.420, 7,800’ El. Mariposa Co., 8.17.12). This fire is in patrol status and was held to less than .10 acre. Turner: (37 35.733 x 119 35.741, 7,800’ El. Mariposa Co., 8.17.12). The fire is in patrol status. It was held to 2 acres, between Deer Camp and Chilnualna Falls. Cold: (37 55.038 x 119 24.949; 8,200’ El., Tuolumne Co., 8.14.12). A single tree was struck by lightning near the Glen Aulin trail in Tuolumne Meadows. This fire is in patrol status.Coyote: (37 49.288 x 119 33.266, 8,500’ El., Mariposa Co., 8.13.12). A single tree was struck by lightning, resulting in a 10 acre surface fire, and is in patrol status.Grizzly: (37 43.731 x 119 32.643; 5,500’ El., Mariposa Co. 8.12.12). The fire was near the top of Vernal Falls. This fire is in patrol status. Firefighter and public safety are always the primary importance and consideration with all fires.For additional Information: Fire Information Officer Gary Wuchner at: gary_wuchner@nps.gov (209) 372-0480 or 375-9574 Ø Yosemite National Park Web page: http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/current_fire.htm.Ø Yosemite Air Quality Web page: http://www.nps.gov/yose/naturescience/aqmonitoring.htmØ Inciweb: http://inciweb.org/incident/3069/Ø Yosemite Fire Twitter: http://twitter.com#!/YosemiteFire Yosemite Fire Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Yosemite-Wildland-Fire/124632964255395

Second Yosemite visitor dies from hantavirus

(AP) YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. — Yosemite National Park officials say a second person has died of a rare, rodent-borne disease after visiting the park earlier this summer. Spokesman Scott Gediman says health officials this weekend learned of a second death of a person who contracted hantavirus after visiting the park in June. There is one other confirmed case of the illness, and a fourth is being investigated. Park officials are warning visitors who stayed in tent cabins at Curry Village from mid-June through the end of August to beware of any symptoms of hantavirus, which can include fever, aches, dizziness and chills. Federal health officials say symptoms may develop up to five weeks after exposure to urine, droppings or saliva of infected rodents.

Wawona bakers and artists needed

The Wawona Library's annual fundraiser is just a week away, on Saturday, September 1. We need lots of goodies and crafts prepared by the great bakers and artists of Wawona. Please support the library and help us make the sale a huge success! Crafts and books can be dropped off at the library anytime during open hours. Baked goodies can be dropped off at the library starting Friday, August 31. We also need several folks to help out on Friday and Saturday. Please call the library or Heidi (209-375-6599) or Anne (559-760-6162) if you can volunteer. Thank you, Heidi Pusina.

The paving operation on Wawona Road work continues and crews did not work last weekend as planned, however they will be working for two nights this weekend - Friday and Saturday nights (August 24th and 25th), between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM. Thereafter the paving operation will be working Sunday thru Thursday nights, 8:00 PM to 7:00 AM. There will also be intermittent daytime work from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM as another crew will be reinstalling the centerline rumble strip, along with spot repairs, and cleanup. This work will include 15-minute traffic delays, as well as flaggers and a pilot car operation to control traffic. Again, and as you may have noticed there are many asphalt trucks running at nights and early mornings, so please be patient and cautious as you are driving along the Wawona Road. (M. Pieper)

Yosemite Fire - Update #6 – August 21, 2012

Lightning caused: Cascade: (37 46.173 x 119 40.519; 7800’El., Mariposa Co., 6.15.12) The fire continues to show low fire activity, slow spread and light smoke production. After recent ground observations, the fire was recalculated to 633 acres. Three firefighters are assigned and the fire will continue to be monitored through the foreseeable future. The fire is most active to the north and southeast. Most of the fire is creeping and smoldering in a red fir forest and through stingers of fuel in open areas of granite. Firefighters took actions to install a light handline between granite ridges to limit fire spread to the south and southwest. The line will also hold the fire from moving into denser fields of brush and tree stands, help limit smoke production, and keep the fire off trails and the Valley rim. Air quality has remained in the good range. The park’s webcam, located at Crane Flat Helibase, captures fire images, which can be viewed at: http://ssgic.cr.usgs.gov/dashboards/WebCam.htmOstrander: (37 37.801 x 119 34.420, 7,800’ El. Mariposa Co., 8.17.12). This fire is in patrol status and was held to less than .10 acre. This fire was discovered by reconnaissance flight and is north/northwest of Ostrander Lake in designated Wilderness.Turner: (37 35.733 x 119 35.741, 7,800’ El. Mariposa Co., 8.17.12). The fire is contained and in patrol status. It was held to 2 acres. The fire was reported by Signal Peak Fire Lookout, as smoke at the top of Turner Ridge, between Deer Camp and Chilnualna Falls. Cold: (37 55.038 x 119 24.949; 8,200’ El., Tuolumne Co., 8.14.12). This fire was found by a hiker near the Glen Aulin trail in Tuolumne Meadows. A single tree was struck. Although in designated wilderness, this fire was put out and is in patrol status.Coyote: (37 49.288 x 119 33.266, 8,500’ El., Mariposa Co., 8.13.12). This fire area, in Wilderness, has experienced numerous lightning fires. A single tree was struck, resulting in a small, .10 acre, surface fire. Firefighters put this fire out and it is in patrol status.Grizzly: (37 43.731 x 119 32.643; 5,500’ El., Mariposa Co. 8.12.12). This fire was found by hikers and backcountry rangers. The fire was near the top of Vernal Falls and was visible to visitors at Washburn Point and hikers. Firefighters, with the assistance of the park helicopter bucket drops of water, put this fire out. It will be patrolled. Firefighter and public safety are always the primary importance and consideration with all fires.For additional Information: Fire Information Officer Gary Wuchner at: gary_wuchner@nps.gov (209) 372-0480 or 375-9574 Ø Yosemite National Park Web page: http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/current_fire.htm.Ø Yosemite Air Quality Web page: http://www.nps.gov/yose/naturescience/aqmonitoring.htmØ Inciweb: http://inciweb.org/incident/3069/Ø Yosemite Fire Twitter: http://twitter.com#!/YosemiteFire Yosemite Fire Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Yosemite-Wildland-Fire/124632964255395

Vernal Fall bridge search continues for boy presumed drowned

KSBW.com updated 8/17/2012 8:15:46 PM ET

Every year for a quarter century, the congregation of Calvary Chapel East Anaheim has traveled to the Sierra Nevada foothills for a spiritual family retreat. This year they are leaning heavily on their faith after a 10-year-old drowned and his 6-year-old brother remained missing after being swept away by the Merced River during a side trip to Yosemite Valley. "I hope people will pray for us, and pray for those precious little boys," Pastor Maury Evans said Friday. National Park Service officials said Andres "Andy" Adams died and his brother Jacob was presumed dead, though the search continued. Their mother Char-Lee Hargis Adams of Yorba Linda was hurt trying to save them, and was recovering at a hospital with the tight-knit church's senior pastor at her side. It's the second time in just over a year that a tragedy has befallen members of a church during an outing to the deceptively treacherous Merced River. A year ago, three friends from a Modesto church were swept to their deaths while cooling off in a pool above Vernal Fall, on the same popular hiking trail where the Adams family was hiking. The park gets 4 million visitors a year, and 2,000 people a day hike Mist Trail, which leads to the waterfall where the Merced River - called the voice of Yosemite - makes its spectacular descent into the valley. August is the low-water season, but the river is still deceptively fast. The granite boulders that line the bed and banks, some as large as houses, are as slick as ice when wet. Last year it took months to find the bodies of the people who went over the fall and ended up trapped under rocks.

The river falls 317 feet straight down to a narrow gorge then descends another 400 feet by the time it reaches the bridge. While the water is calm at the edge, it is forceful as it cascades over and around boulders down the steep canyon. Because Yosemite National Park is a wilderness area, officials place signs only at trailheads to warn of potential dangers on the trail. Often visitors more used to vacationing in places such as Disneyland are unaware that the beauty of natural features can mask danger. The mother, an adult son named Josh Reish and the two young boys had stepped into the water below the Vernal Fall Footbridge Wednesday to cool off on a day when temperatures were in the 90s. As the young boys' father, Angelo Adams, and Reish's wife watched from the bridge, somehow the boys ended up in white water about 15 feet from the banks and were carried away. Another park visitor plucked Andres from the water about 150 yards downstream and performed CPR for 30 minutes until rangers arrived and continued the life-saving efforts, to no avail. His brother disappeared. "We are grieving, I'm grieving. We have a lot of things that happen in the church that at times just rock you," Evans said. Many of the church's 3,000 congregants have called asking how they can help the family, he said. Jacob was described as "a very sweet, spunky young man - full of enthusiasm" by Becky Kopeny, wife of senior pastor Bob Kopeny. The pastor and wife know less about Andy. The boys' mother is inconsolable, they said. "Physically she suffered injuries - an ankle and discs damaged from falling trying to save her sons. Her real obvious anguish is in her heart," Kopeny said. The church will hold a service at 6 p.m. Saturday for all who want to pray for the family. "We will pray for their comfort and for the little boy, that he be found," Kopeny said. On Friday, more than 15 park operatives, including law enforcement rangers and members of the search and rescue team, descended on a mile-long stretch of the river where they believe Jacob's body might be lodged. Some divers were in the water exploring crevices. Others were on the popular trail telling visitors about the tragedy. "It's an opportunity for us to give safety messages," said park spokeswoman Kari Cobb. "This is an extremely rough portion of the Merced River, probably the roughest in all of Yosemite." The family was staying at Sugar Pine Christian Camps in Oakhurst near the south entrance to Yosemite National Park. At least 100 other members of the congregation were there for the annual retreat the church has organized since its inception. "They have Bible studies, time for fellowship and just take time to enjoy God's beautiful creation," Evans said. The camp is about an hour drive from Yosemite Valley, where most of the park's visitors are drawn to experience towering waterfalls spilling over 3,000-foot granite cliffs. The Adams family decided to go to Yosemite on Wednesday, while many others in the group chose an outing to nearby Bass Lake. "It's such a beautiful place, and we feel close to God there," Evans said.

Yosemite Fire - Update #5 – August 18, 2012

Over the course of the week Yosemite experienced thunderstorms, with some park locations receiving measurable, sub- tropical moisture with the monsoonal air flow. The park helicopter will continue reconnaissance flights and all new fires found will be put out. Park fire resources, Engines 33, and 32, have returned from off park fire assignments in Northern California.New fires – Lightning caused: Ostrander: (37 37.801 x 119 34.420, 7,800’ El. Mariposa Co., 8.17.12). This fire was discovered by reconnaissance flight and is north/northwest of Ostrander Lake in designated Wilderness. It is approximately 20’ x 20’, smoldering in brush, down and dead logs and other vegetation. Fire crews are hiking out and will put the fire out. Turner: (37 35.733 x 119 35.741, 7,800’ El. Mariposa Co., 8.17.12). The fire was reported by Signal Peak Fire Lookout, in the early evening as smoke at the top of Turner Ridge, between Deer Camp and Chilnualna Falls. A reconnaissance flight by Helicopter 551 confirmed the fire and the decision was made to put this 2 acre fire out 8.18.12. Cold: (37 55.038 x 119 24.949; 8,200’ El., Tuolumne Co., 8.14.12). This fire was found by a hiker near the Glen Aulin trail in Tuolumne Meadows. A single tree was struck. Although in designated wilderness, this fire was put out and is in patrol status.Coyote: (37 49.288 x 119 33.266, 8,500 El., Mariposa Co., 8.13.12). This fire area, in Wilderness, has experienced numerous lightning fires. A single tree was struck, resulting in a small, .10 acre, surface fire. Firefighters put this fire out and it is in patrol status.Grizzly: (37 43.731 x 119 32.643; 5,500’ El., Mariposa Co. 8.12.12) this fire was found by hikers and backcountry rangers. The fire was near the top of Vernal Falls and was visible to visitors at Washburn Point and hikers. Firefighters, with the assistance of the park helicopter bucket drops of water, put this fire out. It will be patrolled.Cascade: (37 46.173 x 119 40.519; 7800’El., Mariposa Co., 6.15.12) The fire continues to show low fire activity, slow spread and light smoke production. It is approximately 750 acres. It will be continually staffed with firefighters through the foreseeable future. Firefighters took action to install a light handline between granite ridges to limit fire spread to the south and southwest. The line will also hold the fire from moving into denser fields of brush and tree stands and help limit smoke production. Sub-tropical moisture has reduced fire activity and spread. Air quality has remained in the good range. The park’s webcam, located at Crane Flat Helibase, will capture fire images, which can be viewed at: http://ssgic.cr.usgs.gov/dashboards/WebCam.htm?For additional Information: Fire Information Officer Gary Wuchner at: gary_wuchner@nps.gov (209) 372-0480 or 375-9574 Ø Yosemite National Park Web page: http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/current_fire.htm.Ø Yosemite Air Quality Web page: http://www.nps.gov/yose/naturescience/aqmonitoring.htmØ Inciweb: http://inciweb.org/incident/3069/Ø Yosemite Fire Twitter: http://twitter.com#!/YosemiteFire Yosemite Fire Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Yosemite-Wildland-Fire/124632964255395

Yosemite fires update

This fire update is just about photos. Attached are the most recent from a reconnaissance flight by Yosemite Helicopter 551 on 8.13.12. A more formal update will be avaiable tomorrow as the GPS coordinates are converted to GIS maps.

The park continues to receive thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening hours.

Above is the Grizzly Fire; lightning caused, is to the left of the Vernal
Falls. I acre and is being put out. Click on image for larger picture.

Above photo is showing Cascade fire behavior as it moves through still
green meadows and wet areas at the right. Click on image for larger picture.

Water Conservation Measures are Working

Extremely dry and hot conditions persist in the Yosemite region. Duringthe month of July, Tuolumne Meadows received only .08 inches of rain; thatis the driest July in seven years. Similar conditions exist at Wawona; itreceived only .03 inches of rain last month. No significant rain isforecasted for the next 7-10 days in and the water level in the South ForkMerced continues to dip below 3 cfs. We are now in the critical stage ofthe water conservation plan for Yosemite.

I want to thank you all for your conservation measures so far and to ask that you maintain them in the coming months. So far these measures are working. From the graph below, you can see that water demand during July 2012 from the Wawona water treatment plant was the lowest in six years. When comparing July 2012 to 2007 (the last year water conservation measures were in place in Wawona), water usage dropped almost 50,000 gallons per day. This is a significant reduction and that was possible through our combined conservation efforts.

As water levels in both Wawona and Tuolumne continue to drop, we cannot sit back and enjoy our success. Traditionally, August and September are the driest months of the year and they also coincide with some of the highest visitation levels at Yosemite. During the coming months, please maintain your vigilance in conserving water to ensure we continue to protect our precious water resources.

Key water conservation measures to remember:

· Ensure faucets, toilet, pipes, and other water sources do not leak. · Take shorter showers and install water-saving shower heads or flow restrictors. · Don’t let the water run when brushing your teeth or shaving, use a wash basin. · Don’t let the faucet run while preparing food or cleaning, and use your automatic washing-machine only for full loads. · Use a broom to clean driveways, sidewalks, and steps, and don’t run the hose while washing your car. · Water your lawn only when it needs it, do so when cool and avoid watering on windy days.

A complete list of conservation measures is the appendix B of the Water Conservation Plan. If you have any questions, contact District Ranger Eric Scott at: 209-375-9520. We thank you for your continued attention to this very timely and important issue. We will continue to update you as we learn new information about this drought and how to best protect the water ecosystems of Yosemite National Park.

Yosemite Fire - Update #4 – August 10, 2012

Photo depicts typical fire behavior of the Cascade Fire, 8.8.12

Cascade: (37 46.173 x 119 40.519; 7800’el. Mariposa Co., Lightning caused 6.15.12) The Cascade Fire is now at 518 acres.Fifty percent of the fire perimeter is active, primarily in the northwest portion of the fire, through broken terrain of granite. Of the 518 acres, a good portion is rock and decomposed granite, wet meadows, and ponds.

It is burning in a short needle red fir forest between two upper forks of the Cascade Creek. It continues to creep and smolder, through fingers and layers of surface fuels and brush. The fire moves stick to stick and log to log, with low intensity, 6 to 12 inch flame lengths, and smolders through ground fuels of duff and forest litter. It occasionally creates enough heat to ignite brush. Isolated single tree torching was observed by Yosemite fire monitors. As the fire has moved the area it leaves standing live trees with pockets and mosaics of unburned forest. The growth rate and fire behavior is not expected to change as the fire moves to the north. Firefighters continue to monitor and scout the fire weekly.

This lightning caused fire has been slowly burning since June 16, in Yosemite’s high elevation Wilderness. It started during an afternoon thunderstorm on June 15th. The wilderness fire poses no threat to trails, park service buildings, infrastructure or roads, cultural or natural resources. Fire Managers and the park Superintendent evaluate daily the spread, growth and impacts of the fire. The Cascade Fire meets the park fire management objectives of minimal risk to firefighter and public safety, federal and public property, air quality and Wilderness character.

The fire could potentially grow to 1000 acres. Although the immediate fire area has a history of lightning, there is no recorded recent large fire history. The nearest historic fire to the Cascade Fire suggests that fires at this elevation, in this forest type, creep and smolder for weeks and only make runs during dry windy conditions. Fire in red fir forests occur about once in every 30 years.

Light smoke has been visible in the morning hours near Cascade Falls and the community of Foresta. Smoke has become more visible at higher elevations within the park and along the Tioga Rd near Yosemite Creek and Glacier Point Rd. Fire managers are working closely with state and local air pollution regulators concerning potential adverse air quality impacts to nearby smoke sensitive areas. Yosemite’s Division of Resources Management and Sciences personnel have installed air quality monitoring equipment within the communities of Lee Vining, Yosemite West, El Portal, Foresta and Yosemite Valley. Tuolumne County APCD has installed a smoke monitor at Pine Mountain Lake Airport. The park’s webcam located at Crane Flat Helibase will capture fire images, which can be viewed at: http://ssgic.cr.usgs.gov/dashboards/WebCam.htm?

1. Stop Leaks. If you see a leaky faucet or waterline, please fix it or let the owner know.2. Wash vegetables over dish pans and bowls. Reuse leftover water for cleaning or watering of plants, etc. This can save 150 to 250 gallons a month.3. Catch shower water in a clean container while waiting for preferred water temperature. Use this water for cooking, cleaning, watering, etc.4. Take shorter showers. In the shower, get wet and then turn off the water for showering and cleaning. Restart and use water to rinse. Even a one or two minute reduction can save up to 700 gallons per month.5. Wash full loads of laundry. Most top loading washing machines use 40 gallons of water per load. Energy efficient front loading machines use just over 20 gallons of water per load. A full load of laundry means you are getting the most out of every drop of water. As an alternative consider using laundry services in other communities that are not under waterrestrictions.6. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth. Saves three gallons of water per day.7. Don’t flush trash. Everytime you flush a cigarette butt, facial tissue, or other trash you waste water between 1.5 gallons with a low flow toilet and up to 7 gallons with an older model.8. Drive a dirty car. If you must wash your car, take it to a car wash that recycles water.9. Keep a bottle or pitcher of water in the refrigerator. Instead of running the tap to cool off the water, keep a supply of cold water in the refrigerator. Can save 200 to 300 gallons a month.10. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks. Saves 150 gallons or more each time.More water saving tips available at:www.epa.gov/owm/water-efficiency/http://environment

Bring back Yosemite's lost valley? Voters to decide

This pre-1913 photo shows the Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite National Park, Calif

By JASON DEAREN AND TRACIE CONE - AP

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. — This fall San Franciscans will vote on a local measure with national implications: It could return to the American people a flooded gorge described as the twin of breathtaking Yosemite Valley. Voters will decide whether they want a plan for draining the 117-billion-gallon Hetch Hetchy reservoir in Yosemite National Park, exposing for the first time in 80 years a glacially carved, granite-ringed valley of towering waterfalls 17 miles north of its more famous geologic sibling.The November ballot measureasks: Should city officials devise a modern water plan that incorporates recycling and study expansion of other storage reservoirs to make up the loss? The measure could eventually undo a controversial century-old decision by Congress that created the only reservoir in a national park and slaked the thirst of a city 190 miles away. The battle over Hetch Hetchy, first waged unsuccessfully by naturalist John Muir, had turned the Sierra Club from an outdoors group into an environmental powerhouse. The fight gained momentum in recent years when unlikely allies joined forces. On one side are Republican lawmakers and environmentalists, including Ronald Reagan's former interior secretary, who want the dam removed and valley restored. On the other are Democratic San Franciscans, led by Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Rep. Nancy Pelosi, fighting to hold onto the city's famously pure drinking water in a drought-prone state. "Eventually it will be broadly understood what an abomination a reservoir in a valley like Yosemite Valley really is," Donald Hodel, the former interior chief, told The Associated Press. "I think it will be hard to quell this idea (of restoration). It is like ideas of freedom in a totalitarian regime. Once planted they are impossible to repress forever."

Over the past decade, studies by the state and others have shown it's possible for San Francisco to continue collecting water from the Tuolumne River further downstream. But the city never seriously has considered giving up its claim to the valley. "This is a ridiculous idea," Mayor Ed Lee said. "It's a Trojan Horse for those that wish to have our public tricked into believing we have an adequate substitute for the Hetch Hetchy reservoir. We do not. There isn't any." The gravity-fed system serves 7 percent of California's population, city water officials say. Turbines from its dams generate hydroelectric power for city buildings, streetlights and traffic signals, the airport and the transit system. And two-thirds of the water from the system is sold to neighboring municipalities.

All of this for just $30,000 a year. That was the rent set by Congress when it passed the Raker Act in 1913, giving San Francisco exclusive control and use of the Hetch Hetchy valley, despite opposition by 200 newspapers across the country and after a week of contentious debate. For the next decade stands of black oaks that had shaded deer and bear along the Tuolumne River through the half-mile-wide valley were removed along with 6 million board feet of lumber used to build the dam. By 1923, water began flooding what once were lush meadows. In recent years, politicians have argued that San Francisco is getting a bargain and that the rent should be increased. Others have said San Francisco is violating the Raker Act because the city's transmission lines stop 30 miles short of the city and that Pacific Gas & Electric profits by carrying it the rest of the way. With opposition from then-Mayor Feinstein, Hodel brought the issue back to life in 1987 as a way of alleviating crowds and traffic in Yosemite Valley, which now sees 4 million visitors a year. Most recently the George W. Bush administration tried funding a feasibility study, but it was quashed politically by Democrats when Pelosi was Speaker of the House. "San Francisco is known as a progressive city in many ways, especially environmentally. But in water, it's just not the case. We've got a very sweet deal," said Spreck Rosekrans of Restore Hetch Hetchy, who has studied the issue for 20 years. "Restoring the valley would undo the greatest wrong that has ever been done to a national park." Studies by the federal Bureau of Reclamation, the state Department of Water Resources and others show restoring the valley is technically feasible. The cost estimates range from $3 billion to $10 billion. "On top of that staggering price tag, replacing the water supply is unrealistic when California already lacks infrastructure to provide enough water for its economy or environment," said Feinstein. "We should move past this debate and focus on real solutions to California's water challenges."The opposing sides also dispute the impact of reservoir removal. The Hetch Hetchy group says the city would lose 20 percent of its 1.7 billion kilowatt power-generating capacity, roughly the amount of excess production sold at cost to the Modesto and Turlock irrigation districts. The city says it would lose about twice that much, which would cost $41 million. In addition, utilities officials say water rates would increase by up to $2,777 per household a year and the city would be vulnerable during droughts. Mayor Lee and others argue that the timing is wrong to spend so much money on a project that ultimately could make Bay Area water deliveries less reliable. Proponents say passage of the measure in November would give San Francisco a chance to plan for restoration on its own terms. Voters would decide in four years whether to move forward with the plan. "The opposition to removal is akin to the famous expressions many years ago about relinquishing the Panama Canal: 'We stole it fair and square and we should keep it!'" Hodel said.

Yosemite Fire - Update #3 – August 3, 2012

Cascade: (37 46.173 x 119 40.519; 7800’el. Mariposa Co.) This lightning caused fire has been slowly burning since June 16, in Yosemite’s high elevation Wilderness. It started during an afternoon thunderstorm on June 15th. The fire has grown to 182 acres. It is burning in a short needle red fir forest between two upper forks of the Cascade Creek. The fire has slowly smoldered through sparse surface fuels of duff, forest litter and occasionally creating enough heat to ignite brush. The northern and southern perimeter edges are the most active as the fire moves from brush fields through stringers of down and dead fuel. The fire poses no threat to trails, park service buildings, infrastructure or roads, cultural or natural resources. The fire could potentially grow to 1000 acres over the next month due to typical warm and dry weather for this time of year. Firefighters continue to monitor and scout the fire to determine the potential in growth and spread direction. Although the immediate fire area has a history of lightning, there is no recorded recent large fire history. Normally fuels are too wet during this time of year to support active fire growth. Due to light winter snowpack this year, fuels at this elevation are now able to support fire spread and allow this natural fire to play a vital role in Yosemite Wilderness. The nearest historic fire to the Cascade Fire suggests that fires at this elevation, in this forest type, creep and smolder for weeks and only make runs during dry windy conditions. Red fir forests burn about every 30 years. Cascade Fire is burning in an area that has not burned in at least 60-90 years. Because there are no resources threatened at this time or in the near term future, allowing this fire to burn in this area, this year promotes healthy, resilient ecosystem function. If resources are threatened, and/or smoke impacts threaten human health, fire managers will reassess the objectives of this fire. Though California is hot and dry, which is typical for this time of year, there are few fires burning in our region. Other fires nationally are starting to wind down due to cooler weather and monsoonal flow patterns assisting firefighters in suppression efforts. Resources are available to assist with managing the Cascade Fire. The Cascade Fire meets the park fire management objectives of minimal risk to firefighter and public safety, federal and public property, air quality and Wilderness character. Light smoke has been visible mainly in the morning hours near Cascade Falls and the community of Foresta. Smoke has become more visible at high locations within the park and down canyon through the Cascade Creek drainage. Fire managers are working closely with state and local air pollution regulators concerning potential adverse air quality impacts to nearby smoke sensitive areas. Yosemite’s Division of Resources Management and Sciences personnel have installed air quality monitoring equipment within the communities of Lee Vining, Yosemite West, El Portal and Yosemite Valley. Tuolumne County APCD has installed a smoke monitor at Pine Mountain Lake Airport. The park’s webcam located at Crane Flat Helibase will capture fire images, which can be viewed at: http://ssgic.cr.usgs.gov/dashboards/WebCam.htm?For additional Information: Ø Fire Information Officer Gary Wuchner at: gary_wuchner@nps.gov (209) 372-0480 or 375-9574. Ø Yosemite National Park Web page: http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/current_fire.htm.Ø Yosemite Air Quality Web page: http://www.nps.gov/yose/naturescience/aqmonitoring.htmØ Yosemite Fire Twitter: http://twitter.com#!/YosemiteFireØ Yosemite Fire Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Yosemite-Wildland-Fire/124632964255395

Water conservation information

Dear Wawona and Tuolumne communities and friends:

The stress of drought across parts of America is visible in the national media and when you look at Yosemite, you can see those effects too. After an arid winter and spring, water levels in the South Fork Merced and Tuolumne Rivers continue to decline. Worse, no significant rain is forecasted. This week, the water level in the South Fork Merced dipped to 3.47 cfs in the early morning hours. We anticipate that implementation ofcritical water conservation measures, when the river level drops below 3cfs, will come in the next few days (see chart below). We’d like to remindeveryone that the Water Conservation Plan for Yosemite National Park is in full effect and we need your help to protect water resources.

Conservation information and signs should now be displayed in the Wawona and Tuolumne Campgrounds, Ranger Stations and Entrance Stations. Park visitors and residents should be advised about ongoing drought conditions and water shortages. Fee Collectors and rangers will pass on conservationinformation during public contact opportunities and during all interpretive programs.DNC will inform guests of these measures and adhere to conservation measures in the plan. For residents, we continue to ask that you review the Water Conservation Plan and practice these measures in the coming months. As you know, August and September are often the driest time of the year and they also coincide with some of the highest visitation levels at Yosemite.

In order for Yosemite to meet the domestic water demands of the Wawona District, water from Yosemite Valley must be transported to the Wawona Water Treatment Plant daily. To help prepare for the reduced volume of water available, the National Park Service will award a temporary contract to provide the non-potable water to the Wawona and Tuolumne Meadows water treatment plants. The volume of water that needs to be transported is dependent upon the success of the conservation efforts in thesecommunities. The single largest factor influencing reduction in demand inWawona is the prohibition on irrigation. Domestic water use takes precedence over irrigation. When the water level drops below 3cfs, all irrigation of the Wawona lawns from the Wawona Water System will cease in order to conserve water. We'll continue to usereclaimed water for the golf course.

Key water conservationeasures to remember:

· Ensure faucets, toilet, pipes, and other water sources do not leak. · Take shorter showers and install water-saving shower heads or flow restrictors. · Don’t let the water run when brushing your teeth or shaving, use a wash basin. · Don’t let the faucet run while preparing food or cleaning, and use your automatic washing-machine only for full loads. · Use a broom to clean driveways, sidewalks, and steps, and don’t run the hose while washing your car. · Water your lawn only when it needs it, do so when cool and avoid watering on windy days.

For a complete list of conservation measures, refer to appendix B in the Water Conservation Plan. If you have any questions, contact District Ranger Eric Scott at: 209-375-9520. We thank you for your continued attention tothis very timely and important issue. We will continue to update you as we learn new information about this drought and how to best protect the water ecosystems of Yosemite National Park.

Wawona Road Update (8/1/12)

Wawona Road-Area Pavement Preservation (June-September)

This week crews will be working intermittently day and night with some crack sealing and patch work on Wawona Road and on the secondary roads/parking areas in Wawona. Also this week on Thursday night-August 2nd, crews will be completing a small test strip of pavement on Wawona Road between Wawona and South Entrance, with up to 15-minute delays from 8:00 PM to 6:00 AM.

Starting next week, August 6th (Monday-8:00 PM to 6:00 AM), the pavement preservation crews will begin the main travel-way paving of the Wawona Road, with 15-minute delays and controlled traffic using flaggers and a pilot car operation. The paving operation will begin approximately 1/2 mile north of the South Entrance Station. Then each night the paving operation will head north, until they reach Yosemite Valley, which is expected to last thru the end of August 2012. Therefore, at nights there will be many asphalt trucks traveling on Wawona Road and CA State Route 41 between Fresno and Yosemite Valley, so please be patient as you are traveling along this route. (M. Pieper)

UC Merced News

Dr. Becca Fenwick Director SNRI Field Station Please join us for the Youth Symposium Thursday August 9th, 8am – 5pm,at the Garden Terrace at the Yosemite Lodge. The Yosemite Leadership Program Interns will presenting videos about their time in the park, and it should be a fantastic day.

More Heliwell Facts

Ø The use of this tank reduces the need to “dip” from rivers, creeks, ponds and lakes.Ø The tank can accommodate the largest, Type 1, helicopters – they have a dip tank or stinger that has a 3000 gal capacity/per dip.Ø Refill of the tank can be done in 10-15 minutes.Ø The water supply is from a sub-surface hydrant that is part of the irrigation system for the golf course.Ø The tank may be placed in areas much closer to the actual fire – which reduces the turn around, refill, time.Ø The tank mobility and ease of set-up allows for rapid deployment to other areas at risk within the Park.Ø The cost of the tank - $30,000.For answers to other questions about the tank, please contact Gary Wuchner; Fire Information Officer – (209) 372-0480 or Gary_Wuchner@nps.gov